Drishtipat Blog

We believe the recent spate of developments has brought peace and calm in the country. We congratulate the new government for timely steps and hope that they will ensure a peaceful free and fair election in Bangladesh. However, the ordinace promulgated today has been alarming and a bit too high handed considering the situation has become a lot calmer now. No matter how much short term comfort we gain on the recent development, such ordinance, where an individual has ZERO basic rights, can never be good for the citizen. Why punish the ordinary citizens for the failure of a few politicians?

Now that the situation has become much normal and calm has returned and the people are welcoming the new caretaker government without reservation, we urge that the state of emergency be lifted and the basic fundamental rights of the citizens be restored as soon as possible. Readers are most welcome to agree or disagree using the comments box. Details below

[As always, the writers bear full responsibility of the comments. We will, however, screen out comments which are inflamatory or the ones which may put our organization's work in Bangladesh in jeopardy]

*Emergency ordinance promulgated*
*UNB, Dhaka*

Sweeping powers granted to the interim government by a presidential
ordinance following the state of emergency may suspend, if necessary,
political activities, trade unions, clubs and other associations, says a
gazette notification released today.

Law-enforcement agencies hold the right to “enter any place without showing
reason and arrest any individual on suspicion”, reads the notification.

People are subject to up to 14 years in prison or face death as maximum
punishment for violating rules penned in the emergency ordinance.

The ‘Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007′ has been effective from January 11
after President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a countrywide state of emergency “to
ensure safety and security to public life”.

The emergency was declared in the wake of political impasse surrounding the
now postponed January 22 elections, suspending most of the fundamental
rights.

Apart from suspending political, trade union, club or association
activities, the ordinance includes provisions for slapping blanket ban on
meeting, gathering, rally, procession, exhibition, blockade, strike and
lockout.

The ordinance also prohibits acts of creating panic and malice against
government, and “any act that affects relationship with other countries”.

It also prohibits activities disturbing peace in any area of the country and
creating animosity and enmity among different sections of society.

Acts against the state and public security, economic life and public law and
order as well as obstruction of supply of essentials and services are also
proscribed.

The ordinance also puts a ban on publication and airing news that harm
public security, law and order, supply of essentials and services. “Any such
publications may be proscribed and the broadcasting electronic gadgets
seized.”

Transmission of news through post, radio, telegram, telex, fax, the Internet
or telephone will be regulated.

The ordinance empowers the authorities to control the arrival and departure
of any individual.

“If necessary, the authorities are empowered to make rules controlling
trade, industry and business for keeping the supply of essentials and
services uninterrupted,” says the gazette notification.

The generation of power, its supply, distribution and use will be
controlled.

“Any unscrupulous acts like hoarding, profiteering, black marketing of
essential commodities will be prevented” under the emergency powers.

The ordinance bars any person to seek redress in any court of law.